Monday, December 28, 2009

The Gift of Learning

We are back home from our Christmas traveling trip. There truly is "no place like home"! Spending the holidays in another state that is not home takes something from you. It’s hard to explain. But most importantly we were with our little family….our daughter and her husband = time well spent. I’m now spending time reflecting…..Reflecting on the past year. 2009 is closing and coming to an end. I have counted my blessings and will continue to do so. I have enjoyed spending time with you all here in bloggerville, getting to know new friends with BIG hearts who open their home and world. Thanks to each and every one of you who faithfully read my thoughts, ideas, and nothingness. An even bigger thanks to those of you who take the time to leave me some heartfelt thoughts as you visit. I love that. I also love the little surprises in the mail! *smiling*
 I have learned a lot over the years. Life is all about learning.  I’ve learned that:

Jesus should be at the top of everything I do.
That the little things matter more.
That patience is earned.
That your time is not always appreciated.
That the people you love can hurt you.
That blogging is fun.
That joy can be found in a small gesture.
That some people have lost Christmas in their hearts.
That I am not perfect and never will be.
That God always hears our prayers.
That giving is a reward in its self.
That everything is NOT understood.
That things don’t always turn out the way you want them to.
That God and the devil are constantly battling for my attention.
That there is good in everyone but sometimes it is so far down inside them  that it’s hard to see it.
And……
That I’m not through learning.

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I do not make New Years Resolutions. I never have and I never will. Why? I don’t like disappointment. I know all year long that I need to eat healthier, drink more water than I do now, and exercise. ~Note I did not say exercise more!~ I know these things. Making a silly resolution will just set me up for more disappointment; I know me better than anyone and do not need to disillusion my own self. So I will take each day as it is given *not promised* to me; I will do the best I can and I will live with whatever is handed to me on that day. I pray that this coming year will bring more enjoyment, more delight, more wonder, and more pure happiness. *Bliss~

With each hardship that I encounter I hope to overcome it as a better person; having learned in the process. I will live with less of the unnecessary things and focus on the more important areas in my life. Most importantly I will forgive and put the past in the past where it should stay. I will just live each day to the best and pray that when I am gone that it all was not in vain….and hope that maybe I made a difference to someone or that I left something…a legacy perhaps, a contribution, the gift of adoration…

Speaking of gifts; here are some I received this Christmas:

*The touch of a child…the chance to hold her head in my lap while she slept quietly listening to the purring on her chest.


*The joy of a BIG kid receiving a Red Ryder BB Gun (A Christmas Story). Yes, I reminded him that he could shoot his eye out!
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*A sense of peacefulness. 


*The taste of sweetness….all things good and plentiful.



*The gift of Jesus’ love for me~totally unconditional.


 
I hope all your gifts were equally as good as mine and that this
New Year will bring you more than you deserve.

"If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy,
not only we, but everyone will profit from it.
This is the most basic kind of peace work."
~Thich Nhat Hanh





My life is the sum of all my choices.

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17 comments:

Dani said...

sounds like you had a good christmas...and that you've taken some time to think things over. i love all your lessons. and i love the nativity and the b.b. gun! i love a christmas story! i laugh every year! thanks for sharing your thoughts and pictures!

Memories Of Mine said...

Is your blog header new? I really love it.

I'm with you, I don't make new years resolutions either because If I really want to do something I will and don't need a resolution at this time of year to do so. I find if I make them they are half hearted and they never get completed for this reason.

Char said...

you so need to come see the play next year for "a christmas story" - it was fantastic.

love the new header.

and funny, i was just typing out my blog about why i don't do resolutions either.

Maegan Beishline said...

Those are such great things to take away from {what sounds like was both} a hard and wonderful year. They are all things that I am constantly learning and growing in. Your gifts look lovely! I just wrote a very similar post telling of my favorite gifts! Great minds...huh?! :) Happy Monday!

Anonymous said...

i love visiting your blog!!! so happy to have found you! have a wonderful week.

Cindy said...

Hi Cora, so glad to hear you had a wonderful Christmas. I love how you look at your future, it will not be in vain, you have too kind of a heart/ Just keep being you. I understand what you mean by New Years Resolutions, although I did make mine, the same as every year before except different circumstances. Maybe one day I will get it right. lol. Happy New Year. I love the new look, awesome.

Anonymous said...

i havent done resolutions at new year for a long time, exactly for the same reasons. i might have to try the one word thing that everyne is on about though. let's see...

Anonymous said...

Facebook comment from Tom Pope:

Glad you had a nice visit with Holly and Richard and returned home safely. Welcome back to the best state in the U.S., and happy New Year!

Traci said...

Once again your writing is lovely, your photos entertaining and always thought-provoking. Stellar as usual!

Caroline said...

I don't do resolutions either...instead I am choosing a word to guide me through 2010. I did it last year and it was amazing! Wishing you a wonderful New Year!

amelia said...

Cora, wonderful post and thoughtful list- I need to slow down long enough to reflect on 2009- but I am struggling with it, not sure what is holding me back- so I'm trusting my gut on this one- the time to reflect will come when it should.
I do know that I have met some wonderful new friends through blogging that have restored my belief that there are truly good people in this world- and you are one of them- I'm so glad I met you this year and I look forward to seeing what 2010 brings both of us!

Holly and Richard said...

Thank you so much for the time we all had together! It means alot especially when you are in a place that is NOTHING like home and also the fact that we dont really want to be here!! Thanks for all the things yall gave us. We just enjoy family being at our "place" not our home! cant wait to see all next! Happy New Year! we love yall lots!

Tara said...

What a wonderful list Cora! I don't make resolutions either, I think they're kind of pointless. If you know you need to do something, I suppose you should just do it,easier said than done though, LOL!

It looks/sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas, I love the Red Rider BB Gun, love that movie!Your new header looks beautiful too. I hope YOU have a Happy New year and a great week!

Southern Cinderella said...

I'm so glad you had a great time with Holly and her husband! The pictures are great like always! I hope you have a FABULOUS new year!!

Anonymous said...

Cora,
I agree with you that Christmas spent away is not the same, for the past few years we would go to Atlanta for Christmas to be with Jason. We had a wonderful Christmas, but it WAS different. I was glad he was in Alabama this year.
Will you share the recipes for the sugar cookies and icing?
Janan

christina said...

i feel this post. it is so familiar to me, right down in my soul. i am glad you had time with your family. and your list is a blessing to me.
xo

Angie Berry ~ Berry Homespun Primitives said...

Your "learning list" is a lot like mine. Funny how we learn more of this kind of stuff as we mature. We learn what is important and what is not!

I don't make resolutions either. I believe exactly like you. I won't set myself up for disappointment.. I know myself too well also! Instead I prefer to think about how I can be a better person all around, how can I spread God's word and His love and my favorite thing to think about.. how can I leave a legacy that is worthy of Christ?

Thanks for sharing. I really enjoyed reading your thoughts. =]